Sotira Lykodimou Church (Russian Church)
Sotira Lykodimou Church (Russian Church)
4
About
The Sotira Lykodimou Church (better known locally as the Russian Church, since the Russians bought and restored the building during the 19th century) is Athens' largest medieval building and one of the most important Byzantine monuments of the 11th century. It is a domed octagon with a low roof, and tall, three-sided apses.
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The area
Neighborhood: Syntagma
Perhaps the best place to get your bearings is Syntagma Square, crowned by the imposing Parliament building on its upper side and surrounded by other large structures, such as the exclusive Hotel Grande Bretagne. The grand avenues that lead towards Omonia are also full of massive Neoclassical edifices like the Numismatic Museum and those around smaller Platia Kolokotroni. Here you will find lots of travel agents, bookshops and fashion shops, especially on Ermou Street. Just south of Syntagma Square, you can take a breather in the lush National Gardens, which extend into the grounds of the Zappeio palace and beyond to the ancient Temple of Olympian Zeus.
How to get there
- Syntagma • 3 min walk
- Nomismatokopio • 6 min walk
Best nearby
Restaurants
3,616 within 3 miles
Attractions
624 within 6 miles
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
43 reviews
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SoCalOregonian
Murrieta, CA10,355 contributions
Dec 2019
This church located close to one entrance to the national garden was originally built in the 11th century and is the largest surviving Byzantine church in town. The interior is very dark, but loaded with many gilded icons and numerous frescos. NO PHOTOS ALLOWED INSIDE and there is an individual who sits inside the door to monitor the interior. So please respect their request and not take photos of the interior. The bell tower is not attached to the church building but sits a little distance from the church.
Written January 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Neil K
Liverpool, UK829,647 contributions
Jul 2022 • Friends
Passed this church as my twin brother Stephen and I were heading to our hotel to check in for a weeks holiday in the ancient city of Athens and what a beautiful church this is.
Sotira Lykodimou Church is known by several names such as Church Of The Holy Trinity ,St Nikodemos and the Russian Church ,probably the Russian Church is most appropriate as this church serves the Russian community .
This is the largest surviving Byzantine church in Athens and parts of the church date from the 11th century ,the church has a free standing bell tower which is beautiful ,the church building is cute ,the dome looks superb ,never ventured inside but I was content to take some photos before moving onto our hotel ,it's a church well worth checking out if you're in the area and easy to locate along Filelinon.
Sotira Lykodimou Church is known by several names such as Church Of The Holy Trinity ,St Nikodemos and the Russian Church ,probably the Russian Church is most appropriate as this church serves the Russian community .
This is the largest surviving Byzantine church in Athens and parts of the church date from the 11th century ,the church has a free standing bell tower which is beautiful ,the church building is cute ,the dome looks superb ,never ventured inside but I was content to take some photos before moving onto our hotel ,it's a church well worth checking out if you're in the area and easy to locate along Filelinon.
Written July 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
REDMAN
Egaleo, Greece5,017 contributions
Jan 2020
That way of building is used in 6 churches all over Greece. Octagon Dome. Learn about it on the tour that we had with Urban Adventures.
Written February 21, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
greekcypriot2009
Athens, Greece8,970 contributions
Feb 2016 • Solo
Small and beautiful interior a bit dark inside. I have visited it several times especially during the Holy Easter.
The story behind it:
The Church of the Saviour of Lycodemos, otherwise known as the Russian Church, is the parish church of the Russian community in Athens, and the largest remaining medieval building in Athens.
It was founded by Stefan Lykodemou in 1030 AD and is one of the most important Byzantine monuments of the 11th century.
Through the years the church has suffered severe damange from natural disasters and war.
In 1847 the Russian Tsar Nickolas I, bought it from the Greek government and repaired it for the use of the Russian community in Athens.
The Bavarian artist Ludwig Thiersch replaced the earlier Byzantine mural-paintings with other religious paintings and while these alterations are a fine example of 19th century Russian taste in art, they altered the churches’ Byzantine character.
The story behind it:
The Church of the Saviour of Lycodemos, otherwise known as the Russian Church, is the parish church of the Russian community in Athens, and the largest remaining medieval building in Athens.
It was founded by Stefan Lykodemou in 1030 AD and is one of the most important Byzantine monuments of the 11th century.
Through the years the church has suffered severe damange from natural disasters and war.
In 1847 the Russian Tsar Nickolas I, bought it from the Greek government and repaired it for the use of the Russian community in Athens.
The Bavarian artist Ludwig Thiersch replaced the earlier Byzantine mural-paintings with other religious paintings and while these alterations are a fine example of 19th century Russian taste in art, they altered the churches’ Byzantine character.
Written February 28, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
snowridr
Karjat, India177 contributions
Jun 2018 • Family
As many of the other reviews will say, it is a small Byzantine Church from the 11th century. It has suffered damage over the centuries and the surrounding wall was destroyed by a Ottoman official. The church was bought by the Russian Government in the mid 1800s and restored. Inside every you look are religious paintings and icons. Several are under glass with decorated with precious stones and silver. You may light candles and offer prayers there during the day. There is also a huge chandelier which is impressive when lit. When we were there, an Orthodox priest was there speaking with a woman so we didn’t get to look all around the church but it is certainly worth 1/2 hour of your time. As you leave there are miniature icons, pins, crucifixes candles and books for sale on your right hand side. Outside there is a bell tower that was added by the Russians in the 19th century. There is no photography allowed inside the church.
Written June 6, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
davidandmel
Birmingham, UK1,574 contributions
May 2019 • Couples
This little church is lovely inside with a high dome and neoclassical icons - a welcome refuge from the city bustle
Written June 7, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jivko V
Sofia, Bulgaria1,501 contributions
Jan 2019 • Friends
Sotira Lykodimou Church (Russian Church) is located close to the National garden and the Parliament. It was closed during our visit, so we saw it only from outside.
Written March 21, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SEs
London, UK25,869 contributions
Oct 2018 • Friends
This is another beautiful church here. The architecture is slightly different from the other churches around here.
Written November 2, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
flaneur40
New York City, NY1,694 contributions
Oct 2018 • Solo
It is one of the few former Greek orthodox churches to be structured on an octagon pattern. It is a beautiful starry ceiling with stained glass and it now the Russian orthodox cathedral in Athens. It is worth entering if you find it open while walking north toward Parliament from Hadrian's Arch.
Written October 13, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ANGELO V
Milan, Italy4,575 contributions
May 2018 • Solo
I noticed this church while walking on Filellinon Street, and I decided to pay a visit.
Different from other churches, the belfry is in front of the church main entrance.
Inside, there are beautiful icons and wall paintings, but no pictures are allowed, and this policy is strictly enforced.
On a postcard I bought inside the church, it was referenced as "Agia Triada Rosiki".
Different from other churches, the belfry is in front of the church main entrance.
Inside, there are beautiful icons and wall paintings, but no pictures are allowed, and this policy is strictly enforced.
On a postcard I bought inside the church, it was referenced as "Agia Triada Rosiki".
Written May 15, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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